This 2009 photo released by NBC shows Brian Williams on the set of “Nightly News with Brian Williams,” in New York. ABC, CBS, NBC evening newscasts had 11 percent fewer viewers because of the time change and longer days. The Nielsen company says the newscasts collectively had 11 percent fewer viewers last week than they did the week before. (AP Photo/NBC News, Justin Stephens)

NEW YORK (AP) — Despite a busy week with the selection of a new pope, the ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts collectively had 11 percent fewer viewers than the week before — and a glance outside the window reveals the primary reason why.

The simple act of moving the clock ahead one hour for daylight saving time is costly for the broadcasts, since the hour that turns from darkness to light happens to be the hour in which they are shown in most of the country.

It’s not just a one-week phenomenon. The newscasts will have to deal with smaller audiences until the clocks are pushed back in the Login to read more